Novel water sport device

ABSTRACT

A recreational device for supporting a person being pulled along over the surface of a body of water, including an elongated platform body having a central front-to-rear axis and terminated by a slightly upturned, rounded front end, a rounded rear end, and a pair of spaced-apart side edges extending therebetween to form a smooth transitional periphery having rounded corners at the front and rear, the platform body further including a top surface for contact with the feet of the person and a bottom surface for contacting and moving over the surface of the water, two widely spaced-apart upwardly concave channels formed in the platform bottom surface adjacent the side edges and extending parallel to the central front-to-rear axis and terminating respectively in front of the rear end and in back of the upwardly turned front end, and a concave area located on the platform top surface, between the channels, to provide different elevations in the platform top surface for the person to place his or her feet and regulate the angle of the platform in the surface of the water and control the side-to-side movement of the platform over the water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention pertains to the field of water sports. More particularly, it pertains to a device that supports a person while being pulled at high speed by a boat over the surface of a body of water and allows that person to perform various tricks and stunts to the amazement of onlookers or for the worldwide sport of wakeskating.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] In the general field of water sports and the performance of stunts and tricks while being towed or pulled at high speed over the surface of a body of water, the conventional water skis come to mind as one of the main instruments of choice. The conventional water skis comprise a pair of straight, elongated wood or metal skis each having a flat bottom surface, an upturned front end and a top foot hold in which the user places his or her feet while being pulled on the skis. Various tricks and stunts are performed by the user shifting his or her weight from one ski to the other to cause them to change direction so that the skis carry the user over the wake of the pulling boat and allowing the skier to jump the wake or, in some cases turn somersaults.

[0005] Water skiing has evolved into situations where one ski may purposely be dropped away or abandoned to allow the skier to continue on a single ski with one foot in the foot holder and the other foot freely positioned therebehind. In extreme cases some skiers step off the single ski and literally stand on the fast moving surface of the water in their bare feet. While a limited number of stunts and tricks may be performed using one ski, generally, the bare foot skier cannot perform anything other than remain in the conventional skiing position.

[0006] An additional activity in water sports has been the use of a flat, wide board known as the “wake board”, a similar device to the snow board, and is an elongated, wide, flat board with a rounded, upturned front end on which the user stands when being pulled over the water's surface. Little can be done with the water board because it is a unitary device, its width makes it hard to move from side to side, and its flat bottom surface provides a firm, yet unyielding, platform that supports the user in a very steady fashion leaving little in the way of side-to-side control. Attempts to make the water ski and the wake board more amenable to acrobatic movements have been maximized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The instant invention is a wholly new approach to water skiing activity. It comprises a single platform, wider than the conventional water ski, that has water control means developed in the underside, adjacent to the surface of the water. The water control means allows for a wide variety of directional control by simply shifting one's body weight on the platform. The control is done with a very slight movement of the body thus making the stunts and tricks performed by the user appear to be done by some other activity than merely standing on the platform.

[0008] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the recreational device comprises an elongated platform body terminated by a slightly upturned, rounded front end and a pair of spaced-apart side edges extending rearward to a rear end, and includes a top surface for contact with the feet of the person, either by standing freely on the bare surface or with the use of conventional skateboarding or tennis footwear. A bottom surface is provided to the platform for contacting and moving over the surface of the water and includes two or more widely spaced-apart upwardly concave channels that are formed in the underside of the platform and extend parallel along the platform body terminating respectively in front of the rear end and in back of the upwardly turned front end. A concave area is located on the platform top surface, between the channels, to provide different elevations in the platform top surface for the person to place his or her feet and regulate the angle of the platform in the surface of the water to control the side-to-side movement of the platform over the water.

[0009] In another embodiment of the invention, the device comprises an elongated platform body terminated by a slightly upturned, rounded front end and a slightly upturned, rounded rear end. The pair of spaced-apart side edges extend between the front and rear ends so that the device is congruent or identical in size and shape when looking from either the front end or the rear end. In this embodiment, a fin is located on the underside or bottom surface of the device and depends downward from near each end of the platform. The user can arrange the platform in either direction for use and, further, can perform stunts wherein he or she jumps the device, such as when passing over the wake of the boat, and turn either 180° or 360° while in the air and have the board in a controllable direction when he or she has completed the jump and the device is once again on the surface of the water. In this embodiment, the two or more widely spaced-apart upwardly concave channels, formed in the underside of the platform, become even more directional when coupled with the action of the fin located at either end of the platform.

[0010] The main object of this invention is a single recreational device for use by persons being towed over the surface of a body of water that provides far more control over the device thus allowing a greater range of acrobatics, stunts and tricks that with current devices. Other objects include a device that can be made as a unitary object and that is very strong due to its unitary, laminate construction, and a device that is relatively inexpensive and that can be made from a laminate of layers of wood.

[0011] These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent when reading the following description of the preferred embodiment taken along with the drawings appended hereto. The protection desired by the inventor may be gleaned from a fair reading of the claims that conclude this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of one embodiment of the novel water sport device of this invention being used by a person during high speed towing of the person by a motor boat over a body of water;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of this invention with the surfaces of the device greatly exaggerated for clarity;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken along lines 3-3, in FIG. 2 showing an exaggerated view of the channels formed in the underside of the device;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of the device of this invention wherein the various elements are shown in proper proportion, and depict the subtle relationship of the parts of the device and the fins positioned at each end of the platform;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4; and,

[0017]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the fin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Turning now to the drawings, where elements are identified by numerals, and like elements are identified by like numerals throughout the six figures, FIG. 1 shows the general use of the device 1 of this invention. In the preferred use, device 1 is used as a recreational vehicle for supporting at least one person 3 thereon during movement of device 1 and person 3, as a unit over the surface 5 of a body of water 7 in response to being towed at high speed by a motor boat 9 with a rope 13. More than one person may be towed at the same time on the same device, however, this description will be limited to one person for simplicity.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the invention comprises an elongated platform or body 15, generally of substantially uniform thickness throughout, aligned along a central front-to-rear axis x-x, and is further defined by a slightly upwardly-turned front end 17 and a rear end 19 spaced apart from front end 17. It is preferred that the underside of platform body 15 be flat under upwardly-turned front end 17 and under rear end 19. The typical dimensions of body 15 is a length of about 41 inches and a maximum width of about 15 inches, however, these are merely suggested dimensions and are not to be taken as limiting the invention in any way. A pair of spaced-apart side rails or edges, 23 a and 23 b, extend between front end 17 and rear end 19 and are substantially parallel to each other and equidistant from central axis x-x. Front end 17 and rear end 19 engage side rails or edges, 23 a and 23 b, through smooth curves to form a smooth, elliptical or oval-shaped enclosed periphery 25 about platform 15 as shown in FIG. 5. Also as shown in FIG. 5, side edges 23 a and 23 b may be tapered inward respectively toward front end 17 and rear end 19. Platform 15 further includes a top surface 27, for supporting person 3 while he or she is being towed, and an opposed, bottom surface 29, for contacting water surface 5. Platform 15 is preferably made of a laminate of layers of wood that are pressed together under high pressure and thereafter covered with a water-protective material, such as varnish, urethane, and the like. Platform top surface 27 may be covered with a high friction material, such as sand-filled urethane, to aid in standing freely on platform 15 or a smooth finish surface to apply the traction of choice, i.e., plastic or rubber grip tape or EVA foam.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, at least two, spaced-apart channels or flutes 31, preferably straight channels, are formed in platform bottom surface 29, preferably parallel to central front-to-rear axis x-x, for the purpose of channeling water under platform 15 during forward motion of the user and the platform, as a unit, over the water and to provide close control by person 3 of the direction of platform 15 during this motion. More channels may be formed in platform body bottom surface 29, however, two, spaced-apart channels have been shown to provide the requisite control over platform 15 desired by the inventor.

[0021] Channels 31 are preferably arcuate in cross-section, as shown in FIG. 3 and, further, the arcs of channels 31 are preferably of equal radius R, such as a radius of about 5 inches. Even more preferred is that, at any point transverse to front-to-rear axis x-x, the arcs lie in a common plane Y-Z (see FIG. 3) that is perpendicular or orthogonal to front-to-rear platform central axis x-x. With a width of 15 inches, and channel arcs of 5 inches, two channels 31 may be conveniently formed in spaced-apart arrangement in platform body bottom surface 29, as shown in FIG. 1, to have side rails 23 a and 23 b be part of each channel 31. This leaves a center section of platform bottom surface 29 unaffected by channels 31 and thus forms an elongated, downwardly-directed, convex center portion 35 of platform bottom surface 29 that acts somewhat like a rudder during high speed passage of platform 15 over the surface of the water. This also allows formation of a concave section 37 of platform body top surface 27 thus providing the user with a subtle variation in elevation on platform body top surface 27.

[0022]FIGS. 2 and 3 show channels or flutes 31, convex platform body center bottom surface 35, and concave platform body center top surface 37 in exaggerated detail, so that the reader can appreciate the extent and operation of these elements. In practice, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, these elements are quite subtle in the design of recreational device 1 but yet produce surprising results when platform 15 is towed over the surface of a body of water at high speed. The subtle variation in elevation on platform body top surface 27, caused by channels 31 and concave platform body top surface 37 allows the user to slightly shift his or her weight from one leg to the other, or slightly shift his or her foot position on platform body top surface 27 and cause platform 1 to veer from one side of its neutral, towed path, to the other side to allow performance of various stunts during high speed travel over water surface 5.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the oval shaped periphery of platform 15 may be formed such as to make identical ends on the platform so that platform 15 may travel in forward or reverse posture and behave the same. In this configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a small hollow fin 39 may be attached to platform bottom surface 29, adjacent both front end 17 and rear end 19, to aid in controlling the pathway of platform 15 during towing.

[0024] Fin 39 is shown in FIG. 6 as comprising a base 41, of finite thickness, such as ⅜'s of an inch thick, having a flat outer surface 43 of terminal length, for abutment against platform bottom surface 29 and attachment thereto by threaded means (not shown) such as screws passing through platform 15 and through holes 45 formed in base 41. An outer element passes 47 passes from one terminal end of base, downward in an arc and then upward to the other terminal end of base 41 to form at least a pair of spaced-apart hollow chambers, 49 a and 49 b. Chambers 49 a and 49 b are shown to be separated by a central element 51.

[0025] It is believed that the water passing through channels 31, separated from front-to-rear central axis x-x, as well as the presence of fins 39, allow a subtle change in weight on platform 15 to cause one channel 31 to dig slightly deeper into the body of water than the opposite channel 31 and place a turning torque on platform 15 that results in a swerving of platform 15 from its original path along which it is being towed by the boat to a new path at an angle thereto. This provides steering to platform 15.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, it is preferred that channels 31 terminate short of the upturn 53 of front end 17 or the beginning 43 of the upturn 55 at rear end 19. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, platform body rear end 19 is also upturned slightly. In the case where both ends of platform 15 are upturned, it is preferred that channels 31 stop short of both of them and run only along the central part of platform 15 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. It is further preferred that, when two channels 31 are formed in platform body bottom surface 29, that they are extended toward platform outer edges or side rails 23 a and 23 b as shown in FIG. 3. This maximum separation of channels 31 provide the best control over device 1.

[0027] While the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiment of the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that all combinations of elements and steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the way to achieve substantially the same result are within the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A recreational device for supporting at least one person thereon during movement of the person and said device, as a unit, over the surface of a body of water in response to being towed at high speed by a motor boat, comprising: a) an elongated platform body aligned along a central front-to-rear axis and defined by a rear end and an upwardly-turned front end and spaced-apart side rails extending therebetween and parallel to said central axis; and, b) said platform further including a top surface for supporting the person and a bottom surface for contacting the water; c) wherein said platform bottom surface has formed therein at least two, spaced-apart channels, parallel to said central front-to-rear axis, for channeling water under said platform during forward motion of said platform over the water and to provide close control of the direction of said platform during said motion.
 2. The recreational device of claim 1 wherein said channels terminate short of said upwardly-turned front end.
 3. The recreational device of claim 1 further including: a) equally sized front and rear ends that are both upwardly turned; and, b) a pair of fins attached to and depending from said platform bottom surface, adjacent both said front end and said rear end, to aid in controlling the pathway of said platform during towing, wherein said fins comprise: i) a flat outer member of terminal length, for abutment against said platform bottom surface and attachment thereto; ii) an outer element passing from one terminal end of said outer member, downward in an arc to the other terminal end of said outer member to form an outer surface; and, iii) wherein, said outer element and said flat outer member form at least two, spaced-apart hollow chambers.
 4. The recreational device of claim 1 wherein said top surface includes a concave area interior said front and said rear ends for use in standing by the person during use of said device.
 5. The recreational device of claim 1 wherein said bottom surface includes a convex area interior said front and said rear ends, between said channels, and parallel to said central front-to-rear axis.
 6. The recreational device of claim 1 wherein said at least two channels are arcuate in cross-section, wherein, at any point transverse to said front-to-rear axis, said arcs are of equal radius and lie in a common plane orthogonal to said front-to-rear platform axis.
 7. The recreational device of claim 1 wherein said side rails form an edge of at least two, spaced-apart channels.
 8. A platform for supporting at least one person being towed along the surface of a body of water, said platform comprising: a) an elongated platform body including top and bottom surfaces, an upturned front end and a pair of spaced-apart side rails extending rearward from said front end to a rear end, and bounded by a curved periphery; b) a pair of straight water channels formed in said platform bottom surface, each said channel passing from front-to-rear along said platform and spaced-apart from a central front-to-rear axis and, wherein each side channel terminates along one of said side rails to provide independent flow of water along the underside and outer edge of each said side rail for controlling the direction of said platform along the surface of the water.
 9. The platform of claim 8 wherein said channels terminate behind said upturned front end.
 10. The platform of claim 8 further including: a) equally sized front and rear ends that are both upwardly turned; and, b) a pair of fins attached to, and depending from, said platform bottom surface, adjacent both said front end and said rear end, to aid in controlling the pathway of said platform during towing wherein said fins comprise: i) a flat outer member of terminal length, for abutment against said platform bottom surface and attachment thereto; ii) an outer element passing from one terminal end of said outer member, downward in an arc to the other terminal end of said outer member to form an outer surface; and, iii) wherein, said flat outer member and said outer element form at least two, spaced-apart hollow chambers.
 11. The platform of claim 8 wherein said platform top surface includes a concave portion for supporting the user thereon.
 12. The platform of claim 8 wherein, at any point transverse to said front-to-rear cen said two channels are arcuate in cross-section, wherein said arcs are of equal radius, and wherein said arcs lie in a common plane orthogonal to said front-to-rear platform axis.
 13. The platform of claim 8 wherein said side rails are straight and parallel along said channels and then taper inward respectively toward said front and said rear ends.
 14. The platform of claim 8 wherein said platform bottom surface under said front end and under said rear end are flat.
 15. A recreational device for supporting a person being pulled along over the surface of a body of water, comprising: a) an elongated platform body having a central front-to-rear axis and terminated by a slightly upturned, rounded front end, a rounded rear end, and a pair of spaced-apart side edges extending therebetween to form a smooth transitional periphery having rounded corners at the front and rear; b) said platform body further including a top surface for supporting the person and a bottom surface for contacting and moving over the surface of the water; c) two widely spaced-apart upwardly concave channels formed in said platform bottom surface adjacent said side edges and extending parallel to said central front-to-rear axis and terminating respectively in front of said rear end and in back of said upwardly turned front end; and, d) a concave area located on said platform top surface, between said channels, to provide different elevations in said platform top surface for the person to place his or her feet and regulate the angle of said platform in the surface of the water and control the direction of said platform over the water.
 16. The recreational device of claim 15 further including a pair of fins attached to and depending from said platform bottom surface, adjacent both said front end and said rear end, to aid in controlling the pathway of said platform over the surface of the water.
 17. The recreational device of claim 15 wherein said two channels are arcuate in cross-section, wherein, at any point transverse to said front-to-rear central axis, said arcs are of equal radius and lie in a common plant orthogonal to said platform.
 18. The recreational device of claim 15 wherein said platform is of substantially equal thickness throughout.
 19. The recreational device of claim 15 wherein said top surface of said platform has a high friction to the feet of the user.
 20. The recreational device of claim 15 wherein said platform comprises a laminate of layers of wood. 